Saturday, 17 September 2016

Woohoo! I have finally had some spare moments to update my Brain breaks freebie!!!

I have had a few requests lately to detail each of the brain breaks strategies used in my brain breaks freebie! I had a look at this product and noticed it could do with an update ;) I have updated the freebie with the instructions on how to play each game ;)

Friday, 19 August 2016

"BOOM" New curriculum! NSW WHAT??? Are you feeling puzzled about embedding the ICT capability into your teaching and learning programs across the new NSW curriculum? I have created these amazing planning pages to get you started! If you still feel puzzled after using my planning pages, you might wish to wait until my ICT activities ideas is created so you don't even have to think about it! I know right! But for now if you would like to have a go. I have added these products into my TpT store :) Click on the image to access your stage material.

Friday, 12 August 2016

How do you run your math session? Are you thinking about reorganising how you teach math? Then you have come to the right place! Wow! I know! I'm back!!! I've had a few quite months here, busy learning all about my new cherubs in my class :)

As you can see above, I have sorted my daily instruction into 4 categories for optimum and maximum engagement for my students. I begin my daily instruction with a math game such as greedy pig, race to 100, robots etc. I then move into my explicit instruction of the topic. I try to make this as engaging and hands on as possible to ensure my students get the most out of it.

After my explicit instruction I have four rotational activities for my students to complete: Technology, Investigating, Making Meaning and Explain. We complete each rotation each day. The way the topics are set out in my room include two days working on a number and algebra strand and two days working on a measurement & geometry or statistics & probability (depending on the week). For example on Monday-Tuesday we may be working on addition and Wednesday-Friday we might be working on 2D shapes. The topics are set out like this to ensure maximum engagement in each topic and it allows students to build upon foundation blocks of current topic knowledge.

Below you can see my group rotation chart that my students are familiar with using. As you can see there are four groups: jellybeans, sour worms, lollipops and gummy bears. Each day after explicit instruction each group moves through each of the 4 rotation activities.

For the Technology Rotation, I love using the App Targeting Maths! This app can be purchased for all grade levels and includes content for each math strand/topic. You can play in individual mode or you can vs up to 4 people in collaborative math teams. My students and I love these maths games. Students are motivated to practice as they are rewarded badges for each of their completed content. Such a fun and motivating way to practice maths.

For this rotation Investigating, I like to provide my students with hands on materials to practice and build on the explicit instruction lesson for that day. This is generally practiced through math games that reinforce and build on the content that the students were exposed to during explicit instruction.

For example when we practicing addition & subtraction, I printed out this fantastic resource from Love, Laughter and Learning in Prep! If you click on the image it will take you to the freebie. This is a great activity for little learners.

The Making Meaning rotation, I like to set my students open ended engaging tasks for the set topic. This rotation is about connecting the math world with the world we live in. For example, last week we learnt about 2D shapes. My investigating task was to send my students on a shape hunt around our classroom, identifying 2D shapes, recording and labelling them. They recorded their learning in the App Explain Everything. You can see an example below. My students loved this activity and there were able to manipulate and investigate each 2D shape.

The Explain rotation is the part of the rotation where I ask my students to demonstrate their understanding through an assessment task against my learning goal criteria for that day. This may include an activity or a worksheet, depending on the topic.

How do you plan for all of that?? In my classroom I have a range of different ability learners from ES1 (K level) all the way to S3 (Year 5/6 level). I need to make sure my planning is differentiated to suit all of the different abilities in my classroom. Below you can see my planning pages that I use in my classroom to ensure that my math session is balanced and is differentiated for my different learners. At the top I have colour coded my content so I can see at a glance which topics I will be covering for the week. I put my learning goals next, then I include all of my content. I love my math planning pages. It has taken me four years to create the perfect document that I can work with! If you have any questions about my programming pages, please feel free to ask me on here or on my TpT store page.

Saturday, 5 March 2016

Happy Sunday to you all! I know I am sitting in my pjs enjoying a cup of coffee! I have had a few people ask me how I watermark my photos... Its super easy and doesn't take long at all. By watermarking your photos for social media/products, it strengthens your brand name, you look professional, and people can find you easily when referring to products etc!

So here is how you start. I use a really easy app called Ezy Watermark Lite- ITS FREE!!

Step 1: Click on the app to open. Below is a photo of what it looks like when you open the app. Click on the New button.

Step 2: I usually have already taken my photo so I click on Library, but you can also use the camera feature too.

Step 3: Next, as you can see my watermark is sitting there ready to be used, but if it is your first time you will need to save you PNG file to your camera roll and then in this screen click on library to choose it. After you have done this once, your watermark will sit in recent until you need it next time. Make sure your logo is saved as a PNG file, if it is a JPEG, you will have the white box around your logo (see below with red cross through it) it just doesn't have the same effect as the PNG.

Step 4: Once you have selected your logo, it will appear on your screen so you can resize and move however you like. Pinch to resize and drag to move the logo to a different location.

Step 5: Once you have resized and moved your logo to the position that you like (usually a bottom corner of the image) click on the tick from the tool bar.

Step 6: Your screen will now give you a preview of what your photo now looks like with your logo on it! If you are happy with it, click the tick in the bottom right hand corner.

Step 7: Nearly there.. I hope you're still with me ;) On the export screen, you just have to click the tick in the top right hand corner. That will save your image to your camera roll. (Library)

Step 8: just to be sure, go into your camera roll (library) to make sure your photo is there! Now you are ready to share via your social media or blogposts etc!

Happy Watermarking! I hope you found this tutorial easy to follow... If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below :)

Friday, 4 March 2016

Happy Weekend Friends! Wow we are about to start Week 7 of our first term here in NSW Australia, and I can't believe we are in March already! Where has the time gone?

I wanted to share with you my new product on HIGH engagement, super FUN science experiments! I mean FUN! I like to make sure that even I am enjoying the learning, because I know that my students will then too!

The first experiment is how to make the lava lamp as featured on my instagram account. Are you on instagram? Leave me your name in the comments so I can follow you and see what you're up to in your classroom! My username is @miss_smartiepants :)

The second experiment is how to make a volcano! This experiment is super fun too and there are many ways you can do it!

The third experiment is how to make a pop rocket! These were most definitely my fav out of all of the experiments!

Finally, the coke and mentos experiment. This was also super fun!

My science unit contains these four super fun experiments with worksheets ready to print and go for your class! All you need to do is stop at the supermarket and buy your ingredients and your ready to go. Each experiment features this image on the front, with the experiment following, with space for the students to write their results and record a picture! ALL READY TO GO! Enjoy!

Saturday, 20 February 2016

Hello Everyone! I bet you are all planning for your week ahead! If you're anything like me, you like to be organised and know exactly what is happening during the week... or maybe you're actually really like me and try to relax each weekend to recharge for the week ahead! Whichever type you may be, I have something great to share with you all today!

Firstly, I found this great cheat sheet guide to using google drive, you can click on the picture below to find the link !

I use google drive to do all my programming in using google docs and slides. It is perfect for me as I can access my program ANYWHERE! even on holidays in the Bahamas ;)

Here is what my drive looks like when I open it :) It is exactly like having an external hard drive, except it's all online or accessed via the google drive app, so I am never pulling my hair out thinking I had left my life at home ;)

Within my 2016 folder, I have each subject set up with its own folder!

Then, each week..

Here is what it looks like down to the weekly level...

Then I can open my document to work on my planning, or to review/put in assessment details etc. Click on the above picture to see what my maths program looks like. As you can see, my weekly program is in two parts as we cover two different parts of the syllabus each week.

Have you moved into digital programming yet? Do you have any questions about google drive? Let me know in the comments :) Happy Sunday!

Saturday, 23 January 2016

Hello! My name is Kylie! I am a Special Education Specialist with a Masters in Special education (ED/BD). I am so glad you are here!

I am always asked for a list of apps that can be used in the classroom. What am I using? What can you use for all KLA’s? Well guess what! You have come to the right place, I have put together an EPIC list of apps straight from my iPad! Do you know what that means? They are all pretty great apps! In this list you will find the name of the app, the cost, the KLA and space to write notes/ideas for the use of the app in your classroom! Grab yourself a coffee, it’s time to find these great apps for use in your classroom! Why don't you come back and join me each week for ways to use these apps in your classroom! I'd love to share my ideas with you!

Friday, 8 January 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!!! Wow what a year 2015 was!!! Not only did I marry my best friend (insert major squeal) but I also completed my Masters of Special Education, specialising in behaviour and emotional needs. Breathe Out!! 2015 was amazing in many ways but 2016 is looking just as promising! I am excited about getting my business going this year, blogging and creating have always been a hobby or an interest, but now I really want to make them a priority. I really want to share more of my teaching life with Y'all!!

Lets play a little get to know you game, you know, like the ones that we get our cherubs to play when we first go back to school? To get to know you all a little better, I'd love if you could comment bellow! Looking forward to hearing more about you!!! :) Happy Days!!!